Spanner with prevention of disengagement of fasteners

ABSTRACT

A spanner comprises a box end that has an inner periphery consisting of a number of wall faces to define a first polygonal receiving space. Each wall face includes a groove defined therein. The grooves of the wall faces together define a second polygonal receiving space. At least one of the grooves includes a closed first end and an open second end.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of, and claims priority to,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/879,923, filed Jun. 28, 2004, whichis a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/689,259, filedOct. 20, 2003, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/295,368, filed Nov. 15, 2002, now abandoned,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/820,061,filed Mar. 28, 2001, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-partapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/599,206, filed onJun. 22, 2000, now abandoned, the entire disclosures of which areincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a spanner that may preventdisengagement of fasteners during operation.

FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a conventional spanner with a boxend. When in use, a nut (or bolt head) is held in the box end of thespanner, as shown in FIG. 2. Nevertheless, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,the nut tends to move out of the box end such that the outer peripheryof the nut is apt to be damaged and thus cannot be used anymore.Applicant's U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/599,206 proposes animproved spanner for retaining fasteners in place during operation.However, such a spanner cannot be used in a case that the spanner mustbe passed through, e.g., a nut for driving, e.g., a bolt head to whichthe nut is engaged when the bolt head is located at a place that isdifficult or impossible to access from the other side.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a spannerthat may retain fasteners in place during operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a spanner thatcan be passed through, e.g., a nut to drive, e.g., a bolt head to whichthe nut is engaged when the bolt head is located at a place that isdifficult or impossible to access from the other side.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a spanner comprises abox end that has an inner periphery consisting of a plurality of wallfaces to define a first polygonal receiving space. Each wall faceincludes a groove defined therein. The grooves of the wall facestogether define a second polygonal receiving space. At least one of thegrooves includes a closed first end and an open second end.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a spanner comprisesa box end and a drive member rotatably mounted in the box end. The drivemember comprises an inner periphery consisting of a plurality of wallfaces to define a first polygonal receiving space. Each wall faceincludes a groove defined therein. The grooves of the wall facestogether define a second polygonal receiving space. At least one of thegrooves includes a closed first end and an open second end.

Each groove is preferably triangular and includes a closed first end andan open second end. The first polygonal receiving space and the secondpolygonal space are triangular, square, hexagonal, or octagonal. Inaddition, the first polygonal receiving space may have an angularpositional difference of 60°, 45°, 30°, or 22.5° from the secondpolygonal receiving space.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a box end of a conventionalspanner.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view illustrating use of theconventional spanner in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial top view of the conventional spanner in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken alone line 4-4 in Fig.

FIG. 5 is a partial top view of a first embodiment of a box end of aspanner in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the box end of the spanner inFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view, partly cutaway, of the box end ofthe spanner in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a partial top view of the box end of the spanner in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 9, wherein thespanner is engaged with the bolt head.

FIG. 11 is a partial top view of the box end of the spanner,illustrating another use of the spanner.

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a partial top view of a second embodiment of the box end ofthe spanner in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a partial top view of a third embodiment of the box end ofthe spanner in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a partial top view of a fourth embodiment of the box end ofthe spanner in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a partial top view of a fifth embodiment of the box end ofthe spanner in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a partial top view of a sixth embodiment of the box end ofthe spanner in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a partial top view of a seventh embodiment of the box end ofthe spanner in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a partial top view of an eighth embodiment of the box end ofthe spanner in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a partial top view of a ninth embodiment of the box end ofthe spanner in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a top view of a tenth embodiment of the box end of thespanner in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIGS. 5 through 21 and initially to FIGS. 5 through 9, afirst embodiment of a spanner 10 in accordance with the presentinvention generally includes a box end 11 in which a drive member 12 isrotatably mounted. The drive member 12 includes an inner periphery fordriving a fastener, such as a nut or bolt head. In this embodiment, theinner periphery of the drive member 12 has six wall faces 13. Thespanner 10 may further include a switch piece 17 for changing ratchetingdirection for driving fasteners, such as nuts, bolt heads, etc. Namely,the spanner may be a ratchet-type spanner allowing a change in theratcheting direction. Of course, the spanner may include two box ends orbe of any other type having a box end with a structure disclosed in thisspecification.

The inner periphery of the drive member 12 defines a receiving space 12a (FIG. 7) having a first open end 14 and a second open end 15. Asillustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7, each wall face 13 of the drive member12 includes a triangular groove 16 having a closed first end 161 that isadjacent to the first open end 14 and an open second end 162 (FIG. 7)that is adjacent to the second open end 15. As illustrated in FIG. 5,the six triangular grooves 16 together define a hexagonal receivingspace 16 a (FIG. 5) that has an angular positional difference of, e.g.,30° from the receiving space 12 a defined by the inner periphery of thedrive member 12.

In use, the spanner can be used as a normal spanner in which a nut 30 tobe tightened or loosened is received in the receiving space 12 a definedby the inner periphery of the drive member 12, as shown in FIGS. 8 and9. Nevertheless, the spanner can be passed through the nut 30 to engagewith a bolt head 22 of a bolt 20 to which the nut 30 is engaged, asshown in FIG. 10. Thus, the spanner can be used to drive the bolt head22. This is particularly advantageous when the bolt head 22 is locatedat a place that is difficult or impossible to access from the other side(the lower side in FIG. 10).

In addition, the spanner can be used in a manner that the nut 30 isreceived in the receiving space 16 a defined by the triangular grooves16, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. It is noted that the nut 30 bearsagainst the end walls of the first closed ends 161 of the triangulargrooves 16 during loosening or tightening. Namely, the nut 30 is stoppedby the end walls of the first closed ends 161 of the triangular grooves16. Accordingly, disengagement of the nut 30 during operation isprevented.

FIG. 13 illustrates a second embodiment of the box end of the spanner10, wherein only one of the triangular grooves 16 includes a closedfirst end 161 and an open second end; i.e., each of the other fivetriangular grooves 16 has an open first end and a second open end.

FIG. 14 illustrates a third embodiment of the box end of the spanner 10,wherein the inner periphery of the drive member 12 is triangular andincludes three wall faces 13. Each wall face 13 includes a triangulargroove 16 having a closed first end 161 and an open second end (notshown). The three triangular grooves 16 together define a triangularreceiving space 16 b that has an angular positional difference of, e.g.,60° from a triangular receiving space 12 b defined by the innerperiphery of the drive member 12. FIG. 15 illustrates a fourthembodiment of the box end of the spanner 10 that is modified from thethird embodiment of FIG. 14, wherein only one of the triangular grooves16 includes a closed first end 161 and an open second end; i.e., each ofthe other two triangular grooves 16 has an open first end and a secondopen end. The spanners shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 can be used to drivetriangular fasteners.

FIG. 16 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the box end of the spanner 10,wherein the inner periphery of the drive member 12 is square andincludes four wall faces 13. Each wall face 13 includes a triangulargroove 16 having a closed first end 161 and an open second end (notshown). The four triangular grooves 16 together define a squarereceiving space 16 c that has an angular positional difference of, e.g.,45° from a square receiving space 12 c defined by the inner periphery ofthe drive member 12. FIG. 17 illustrates a sixth embodiment of the boxend of the spanner 10 that is modified from the fifth embodiment of FIG.16, wherein only one of the triangular grooves 16 includes a closedfirst end 161 and an open second end; i.e., each of the other threetriangular grooves 16 has an open first end and a second open end. Thespanners shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 can be used to drive square fasteners.

FIG. 18 illustrates a seventh embodiment of the box end of the spanner10, wherein the inner periphery of the drive member 12 is octagonal andincludes eight wall faces 13. Each wall face 13 includes a triangulargroove 16 having a closed first end 161 and an open second end (notshown). The eight triangular grooves 16 together define an octagonalreceiving space 16 d that has an angular positional difference of, e.g.,22.5° from an octagonal receiving space 12 d defined by the innerperiphery of the drive member 12. FIG. 19 illustrates an eighthembodiment of the box end of the spanner 10 that is modified from theseventh embodiment of FIG. 18, wherein only one of the triangulargrooves 16 includes a closed first end 161 and an open second end; i.e.,each of the other seven triangular grooves 16 has an open first end anda second open end. The spanners shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 can be used todrive octagonal fasteners.

FIG. 20 illustrates a ninth embodiment of the box end of the spanner 10,wherein the box end has no drive member mounted therein. Instead, thebox end of the spanner 10 includes an inner periphery having, e.g., sixwall faces 13. Each wall face 13 includes a triangular groove 16 havinga closed first end 161 and an open second end (not shown). The sixtriangular grooves 16 together define a hexagonal receiving space 16 athat has an angular positional difference of, e.g., 30° from a hexagonalreceiving space 12 a defined by the inner periphery of the box end ofthe spanner. FIG. 21 illustrates a tenth embodiment of the box end ofthe spanner 10 that is modified from the ninth embodiment of FIG. 20,wherein only one of the triangular grooves 16 includes a closed firstend 161 and an open second end; i.e., each of the other five triangulargrooves 16 has an open first end and a second open end. The spannersshown in FIGS. 20 and 21 can be used to drive hexagonal fasteners.

According to the above descriptions, it is appreciated that the spannersin accordance with the present invention can be used in three differentmanners in response to different needs.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thescope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

1. A spanner wrench comprising: a. a handle; b. a head attached to saidhandle that defines a box end having an inner periphery having aplurality of wall faces connected by a first plurality of corners, saidwall faces and said first plurality of corners defining a firstpolygonal receiving space bounded at the top by a first open end and atthe bottom by a second open end, each said wall face including at leastone groove formed therein, a second polygonal receiving space defined bysaid grooves that is bounded at the top by said first open end and atthe bottom by said second open end, and c. a radially inward extendingledge disposed within said second polygonal receiving space and locatedin fewer than all of said grooves proximate said first open end,wherein, when a work piece is received in said second polygonalreceiving space, said radially inward extending ledge prevents said workpiece from passing through said first open end, and when said work pieceis received in said first polygonal receiving space, said work piece canpass through said first open end.
 2. The spanner wrench of claim 1,wherein a cross-section of said grooves are triangularly shaped.
 3. Thespanner wrench of claim 1, wherein said first polygonal receiving spaceand said second polygonal receiving space are triangular.
 4. The spannerwrench of claim 3, wherein said first corners have an angular positionaldifference of 60° from said grooves with respect to the centerline ofsaid box end.
 5. The spanner wrench of claim 1, wherein said firstpolygonal receiving space and said second polygonal receiving space arehexagonal.
 6. The spanner wrench of claim 5, wherein said first cornershave an angular positional difference of 30° from said grooves withrespect to the centerline of said box end.
 7. The spanner wrench ofclaim 1, wherein said radially inward extending ledge is disposed withinone of said grooves.
 8. The spanner wrench of claim 1, wherein saidradially inward extending ledge is disposed within three of saidgrooves.
 9. A spanner wrench comprising: a. a handle; b. a head attachedto said handle, said head having a top surface, a bottom surface anddefining a hole therethrough; c. a drive member rotatably received insaid hole and having an inner periphery defining, a plurality of wallfaces connected by a first plurality of corners, said wall faces andsaid first plurality of corners defining a first polygonal receivingspace bounded at the top by a first open end and at the bottom by asecond open end, each said wall face including at least one grooveformed therein, a second polygonal receiving space defined by saidgrooves that is bounded at the top by said first open end and at thebottom by said second open end, and d. a radially inward extending ledgedisposed within said second polygonal receiving space and located in afirst of said grooves proximate said first open end wherein, when a workpiece is received in said second polygonal receiving space, saidradially inward extending ledge prevents said work piece from passingthrough said first open end, and when said work piece is received insaid first polygonal receiving space, said work piece can pass throughsaid first open end, and wherein a second of said grooves of said secondpolygonal receiving space extends from said top surface to said bottomsurface of said head and is open at both ends of said second groove. 10.The spanner wrench of claim 9, wherein said grooves are triangularlyshaped.
 11. The spanner wrench of claim 9, wherein said first polygonalreceiving space and said second polygonal receiving space aretriangular.
 12. The spanner wrench of claim 11, wherein said firstcorners have an angular positional difference of 60° from said grooveswith respect to the centerline of said drive member.
 13. The spannerwrench of claim 9, wherein said first polygonal receiving space and saidsecond polygonal receiving space are hexagonal.
 14. The spanner wrenchof claim 13, wherein said first corners have an angular positionaldifference of 30° from said grooves with respect to the centerline ofsaid drive member.
 15. The spanner wrench of claim 13, wherein saidradially inward extending ledge further comprises three radially inwardextending ledges, each of said radially inward extending ledges beingdisposed within a respective one of said grooves of said secondpolygonal receiving space proximate said first open end.